How the cloud improves security for everyone

Reflecting on the insights and discussions of the Leading Security Change series reveals a clear benefit of moving to the cloud that improves security for everyone.

Do you trust the cloud?

Most security audiences I ask do not. They believe the cloud (defined anyway you like) results in less control, less security. At the same time, companies are accelerating adoption of cloud-based solutions. Considered obstacles, security leaders get left out of the process.

What if “the cloud” improves security for everyone?

At first, I saw potential for cloud solutions to increase security for small companies. Organizations with no or limited security staff. Now I embrace the potential of cloud solutions to improve security for every organization.

Even better?

The cloud acts as a “forcing function” that improves security for everyone. Even those who don't use it.... yet.

A moment to reflect on the Leading Security Change Panel

To close the discussion, each panelist shared the "one thing" that stood out to them.

I invite you to do the same. Absorb and reflect on the pieces of the series, including:

For you, what stands out? What connected with your situation and experience? What are you doing as a result?

Three highlights from the panel discussion

In a series loaded with practical experience, many things stood out. Here are three worthy of consideration:

Better specialization creates the ability to improve security

Offload tasks to free up time and energy to focus on areas of higher value

The cloud is a forcing function that improves security for everyone

To distill to the "one thing," for me, it's the power of the cloud as a forcing function. It is how cloud improves security across the board. Everyone benefits.

The power of cloud as a forcing function

A forcing function is “any task, activity or event that forces you to take action and produce a result.”

People want cloud solutions. Consumers and businesses alike see and experience the benefits. Sometimes the flexibility and ease of cloud solutions is a double-edged sword. Especially for security leaders. Instead of working to block or bottle neck the effort, embrace it.

If you impede the progress, you get ignored.

Progress? Migrating to cloud solutions forces us to think and act different. That’s needed. And it’s good. Embrace the opportunity to pivot to think about function. Focus on outcomes.

The process of discovering the real problem often reveals opportunity. For most, this is the chance to improve security while helping advance the business. Solutions we've struggled with are now essential to the success of adopting the cloud.

Security enables the transformation people seek.

The security benefits of the cloud as a forcing function

There are at least three distinct benefits to the adoption of the cloud in how it forces us to adapt and improve: